1. As I am going to demonstrate a most philosophical proposition, namely, that religious reasoning is absolute master of the passions, I would willingly advise you to give the utmost heed to philosophy.
2. For reason is necessary to every one as a step to science: and more especially does it embrace the praise of prudence, the highest virtue.
3. If, then, reasoning appears to hold the mastery over the passions which stand in the way of temperance, such as gluttony and lust,